Dispenser for disposable items

ABSTRACT

The invention discloses an incorporated dispensing collecting device for dispensing clean or sterile unused disposable products. The device comprises inter alia at least two separated compartments: a disposable products stack of unused disposable products and a waste trash of used disposable products wherein said compartments are mutually connected by means of an open conduit, such that only unidirectional passage of used disposable products to the waste trash through the conduit is provided and contamination of said unused disposable products by the used ones is avoided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a disposable or permanentdispenser for disposable products combined with a waste collector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is an everyday need for sterile or clean disposable products suchas paper tissues, medical pads, band-aid films, toothpicks, ear sticksetc. These materials may be distasteful or even hazardous orcontaminated after their usage. Therefore, the isolation of these usedmaterials fiom the surroundings meets a long felt need.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,442 to Beeken discloses a cylindrical receptacle forholding wound sheet material with a hollow core. The joint of cap andreceptacle body is made of a waterproof material to keep the contentsdry. The said cylindrical receptacle does not combine a waste collector,thus this patent does not contain an opportunity for concurrentlyaccumulating the waste.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,474 to May et al. discloses a combination of tissuedispenser and waste collector for dispensing clean tissues or towels andcollecting and compacting the waste material. The tissue dispenser andwaste collector comprises two compartments, one for dispensing cleantissues or towels and the other for receiving the compacted waste paper.The dispenser slides within the waste collector compartment, thuscontracting the waste paper. The two compartments remain attached duringuse by the abutment of stops on the laterals thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,545 to Parks describes a tissue dispenser combinedwith a trash collector, with one compartment separated into two sectionsby a flexible bag. In this invention, clean tissues are taken from thetop opening of the compartment, used, and then pushed through an entryhole in the bottom of the compartment, where the waste is collected.

A major requirement of this device that function as both a dispenser anda collector is complete separation between the two areas that areresponsible for these two distinct functions. In the above twodevices—the two tissue-dispenser/waste-collectors—the separation betweensaid two areas is limited. Therefore, over time the clean tissue couldpossibly become contaminated. In addition, these devices are limitedspecifically to one kind of product; tissue papers, in a specific kindof packaging.

Thus, a device which dispenses a wide range of clean or steriledisposable products and concurrently collects the waste thereof, whilepreserving the sterility of said unused disposable products, meets along felt need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The multi-purpose incorporated device, dispenser-collector, proposed inthe present invention surprisingly meets all the said requirementsefficiently: to dispense a disposable product and concurrently toaccumulate the waste thereof, to keep the sterility of the unused saiddisposable products high for a long period of time and in addition to beadaptable to a very wide range of clean or sterile disposable products.

This incorporated dispensing collecting device, for dispensing clean orsterile unused disposable products; comprising inter alia at least twoseparated compartments: a disposable products stack of unused disposableproducts and a waste trash of used disposable products wherein saidcompartments are mutually connected by means of an open conduit, suchthat only unidirectional passage of used disposable products to thewaste trash through the conduit is provided and contamination of saidunused disposable products by the used ones is avoided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may beimplemented in practice, a plurality of preferred embodiments will nowbe described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to theaccompanying drawing, in which

FIG. 1 schematically presents a perspective view of thedispenser-collector, comprising a cylindrical housing for the disposableproducts, cap for the waste trash and the waste trash according to oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 schematically presents a lateral view of the dispenser-collector,comprising a cylindrical housing, cap for the waste trash and the wastetrash according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 schematically presents a top view of the dispenser-collectoraccording to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 schematically presents a perspective view of the cylindricalhousing for the disposable products according to another embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 5 schematically presents a lateral view of the cylindrical housingfor the disposable products according to another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 6 schematically presents a top view of the cylindrical housing forthe disposable products according to another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 7 schematically presents a perspective view of the cap for thewaste trash according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 schematically presents a lateral view of the cap for the wastetrash according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 schematically presents a top view of the cap for the waste trashaccording to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 schematically presents a perspective view of the waste trashaccording to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 schematically presents a lateral view of the waste trashaccording to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 schematically presents a top view of the waste trash accordingto another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 schematically presents a perspective view of a disposable wasteaccording to another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 14A and 14B schematically present two possible deployments of ethdevice according to yet another embodiment of the invention; and,

FIG. 15A-15F schematically presents various views of adispenser-collector according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided, along all chapters of the presentinvention, so as to enable any person to make use of said invention andsets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying outthis invention. As is customary, it will be understood that nolimitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Furthermodifications will remain apparent to those skilled in the art, sincethe generic principles of the present invention have been definedspecifically to provide a dispenser for sterile or clean disposableproducts and a waste collector combined therewith.

The main scope of the present invention is a multi-purpose incorporateddispensing collecting device, i.e., dispenser-collector for dispensinguncontaminated disposable products; comprising inter alia at least twoseparated compartments: a disposable products stack and a waste trash ofused disposable products. The stack and the trash are connected by ameans of a mutual conduit, adapted for avoiding contamination of theunused disposable products by the used waste.

The term disposable products refers hereinafter to any disposablematerials selected in a non-limiting manner from a group consisting oftoilet paper, tissue papers, wipes, medical pads, medical needles, bandaids, toothpicks, cotton applicators, swabs etc. The term disposableproducts stack refers hereinafter to a heap of disposable products inwhich the said disposable products are divided into isolated units,which are not connected to each other. In addition or alternatively,said disposable products stack refers hereinafter to a heap ofdisposable products in which the said disposable products are connectedto each other, or alternatively or in addition, connected to each otherand completing a film that can be easily divided into the said isolatedunits.

It is in the scope of the present invention wherein the said devicecomprises a disposable products stack of disposable products with aloose free end, a dispensing module and a waste trash module. Saiddispensing module comprises a cylindrical housing and at least one innerholder adapted to hold the said disposable products stack.

Said housing comprises an inner volume adapted to accommodate saiddisposable products stack, at least a first aperture and a secondaperture. Said first aperture is adapted for dispensing said disposableproducts, and said second aperture is an entry path in communicationwith a waste trash module. Alternatively, said cylindrical housingcomprises a disassembled cup comprising said second aperture.

Said inner holder is adapted to hold a wide range of disposable productsor disposable products stacks. It comprises at least one bracket thatholds the said inner holder in the cylindrical housing. In addition,said inner holder comprises at least one handle that tightens saiddisposable products from the inner volume of said cylindrical housingtowards said first aperture, such that by pulling one unit of saiddisposable products, the entire disposable products stack is pushedtowards said first aperture, causing the consequent unit of thedisposable products to face the first aperture.

Said waste trash module comprises a waste trash, a cap, an entryaperture and a conduit communicating between said entry path and wastetrash. Said conduit is a separate unit that connects between the saidsecond aperture and said cap for the waste trash. Alternatively, saidconduit is completed by fastening said housing and said cap for thewaste, wherein, at least one of them comprises a spout exiting from itsaperture. It is further in the scope of the invention wherein saidconduit is collecting the waste, thus said conduit functions as saidwaste trash.

All said parts of said dispenser-collector are either incorporations orassemblies of two or more of said parts which combine into a unifieddevice by screwing, threading, making use of fastening bolts, clips,spring wings, magnets or any other fastening means.

It is further in the scope of the invention wherein said disposableproducts are selected from toilet paper, tissue papers, wipes, medicalpads, medical needles, band-aids, toothpicks, cotton applicators, swabsetc. More specifically it is in scope of the invention wherein saiddisposable products stack is adapted to accommodate the disposableproducts such that the said disposable products are connected to eachother as a film which is wrapped around a central cylinder. A classicalexample of this performance is toilet paper or a cylindrical tissuepaper usually used in kitchens. It is also in the scope of the inventionwherein said disposable products stack is adapted to dispense thedisposable products in a predetermined order such as a tissue paperstack or wipes stack. Various sizes of dispenser-collector are used,such as one adapted for common toilet paper or for the cylindricaltissue paper rolls usually used in kitchens etc. The dispenser-collectoris made of plastic, wood, aluminum, carton or any combination thereof.

It is further in the scope of the invention wherein said first apertureadditionally comprises tearing means such as sharp margins, serratedmargins or any other tearing means. It is also in the scope of theinvention wherein said first and second aperture additionally comprisescovering means, selected from sliding door, top, screw, cap or any othercover means. In the case of the first aperture this cover preservesimportant qualities of the disposable products such as sterility andhumidity over a long period of time, and in the case of the secondaperture, the cover prevents contamination of the surrounding.

It is further in the scope of the invention wherein thedispenser-collector comprises a compressor for compressing the wasteinto waste trash. Additionally, it is in the scope of the invention thatthe dispenser-collector has a carrying handle located in any part of thesaid device.

It is further in the scope of the invention wherein said waste trash isdisposable; alternatively or in addition, it is in the scope of theinvention wherein the waste trash is collected in a disposable bag suchas; carton, plastic bag, paper bag.

It is also in the scope of the invention wherein the device comprisesstabilizing means selected from vacuum sticker, transmission, glue,abrasive screwing, and scotch, wherein said stabilizing means areincorporated at the inferior or lateral portion of the device. Thesemeans are especially important when said device is used in vehicles.

Vehicles provide merely one example of a site for use of said device; itis useful in hospitals near the patient's bed, in kindergartens,offices, restrooms, restaurants, shops or any other commercial orprivate sites. It is also in the scope of the invention wherein thedevice additionally comprises site-specific accessories: for examplesaid dispenser-collector comprises hand cream when used in akindergarten or writing instruments when used in an office.

Reference is made now to FIGS. 1 and 2 which schematically present aperspective and lateral views of the dispenser-collector respectively,comprising the cylindrical housing for the disposable products (100),the cap for the waste trash (120) and the waste trash (130). These threeparts, are fastened to a unified dispenser-collector assembly byfastening means, in the present example by flange wings present in thehousing (103), in the cap (123 and 124) and in the waste trash (131).The said cylindrical housing (100) comprises an inner volume (104)adapted to accommodate a disposable products stack. Additionally, thesaid cylindrical housing (100) comprises a first aperture (102) which isadapted to dispense said disposable products, and in addition, a secondaperture (101) which is adapted to direct the disposable waste into awaste trash (130). Thus, the disposable waste is passes through a wasteconduit then it accumulated in said waste trash (130). In the presentexample, the said conduit is completed by connecting between a spoutexiting from the said second aperture (101) of the said housing (100)and a spout exiting from the cap of the waste trash (122). Saiddisposable waste is then achieve to the inner volume (132) of the wastetrash (130).

It is acknowledged in this respect that at storing or shipping thedevice, housing (100) is accommodating a waste trash (130) therein so asa compact enveloped product is obtained, wherein before using thedevice, the two components are divided, and housing (100) is affixed ontop of waste trash (130), being interconnected by means of a conduit(122) having a first and second apertures (121, 123), so as an elongatedproduct is obtained.

Reference is made now to FIG. 3 schematically presenting a top view ofthe dispenser-collector. This view shows in particular the secondaperture (101) of said cylindrical housing (100) and said flange wings(103), (123) which fasten said three parts of said dispenser-collector.

Reference is made now to FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically presentingperspective and lateral views of the cylindrical housing (100),respectively. The said cylindrical housing comprises an inner volume(104) adapted to accommodate a disposable products stack.

Reference is made now to FIG. 6 schematically presenting a top view ofthe cylindrical housing. This figure emphasizes that the second aperture(101) is connected to the waste trash (130) by the conduit.

Reference is made now to FIGS. 7 and 8 schematically presentingperspective and lateral views of the said cap for the waste trash (120),respectively. These figures present the spout exiting from the cap (122)which completes said conduit (121) by connecting it with the said spoutexiting from the said second aperture. Reference is made now to FIG. 9schematically presenting a top view of the cap of the waste trash, whichemphasizes the said conduit (121).

Reference is made now to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, schematically presenting aperspective, lateral and top view of the waste trash respectively. Thesefigures show the inner volume of the waste trash (132) in which saiddisposable waste is accumulated, and the flange wings (131), thefastening means by which dispenser-collector is fastening to the unifiedassembly.

Reference is made now to FIGS. 13 and 14 schematically presenting adisposable device according to yet another embodiment of the presentinvention. This device is made of cardboard, paper or paper-products,aluminum-leaf and the like, polymers, nylon or other disposablematerials. Preferably, yet not exclusively, the 3D box-like device isfolded from at least one 2D sheet-like plain, made of said disposablematerials. A toilet paper or any other disposable members may beincorporated therein and dispensed thereof. It is acknowledged in thisrespect that the deployed sheet may comprise folding lines, drawing andtext indicated thereof, openings and apertures, tearing means, gluing orother chemical or physical fastening means, anchoring means adapted tofasten one portion of the sheet to other portions such that a 3Dstructure is provided, etc. The present invention also discloses acost-effective and novel method of folding a deployed sheet as deignedand described above such that 3D incorporated dispensing collectingdevice is obtained.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are possible deployments of a device according to yetanother embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 15A-15F schematicallypresents various views of a dispenser-collector according to anotherembodiment of the invention; wherein FIG. 15A shows the device from abottom view; FIG. 15B shows the device from a top view; FIG. 15C showsthe envelope portion of the device; FIG. 15D shows the top cover of thedevice; FIG. 15E shows a possible deployment of the device; and FIG. 15Fshows the bottom cover of the device.

1. An incorporated dispensing collecting device, for dispensing clean orsterile unused disposable products; comprising inter alia at least twoseparated compartments: a disposable products stack of unused disposableproducts and a waste trash of used disposable products wherein saidcompartments are mutually connected by means of an open conduit, suchthat only unidirectional passage of used disposable products to thewaste trash through the conduit is provided and contamination of saidunused disposable products by the used ones is avoided.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, comprising inter alia: a. a disposable productsstack of disposable products with a loose free end; b. a dispensingmodule comprising; a housing consisting of an inner volume adapted toaccommodate said disposable products stack; a first and a secondaperture; wherein said first aperture is adapted for dispensing saiddisposable products; said second aperture is an entry path incommunication with a waste trash; inner holder is adapted to hold thesaid disposable products stack; and c. a waste trash module; comprisinga waste trash; a cap portion comprising an entry aperture and a conduitwhich communicates between said entry path and waste trash.
 3. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein said disposable products stack isadapted to accommodate the disposable products such that the saiddisposable products are connected to each other as a film which iswrapped around a central cylinder.
 4. The device according to claim 1,wherein said disposable products stack is composed of toilet paper 5.The device according to claim 1, wherein said cylindrical housingcomprises a disassembled cup.
 6. The device according to claim 1,wherein said disposable products stack is adapted to dispense thedisposable products in a predetermined order.
 7. The device according toclaim 1, wherein said first aperture additionally comprises tearingmeans such as sharp margins, serrated margins or any tearing meansthereof.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein said first andsecond aperture additionally comprise covering means, selected fromsliding door, top, screw, cap or any cover means, thereof
 9. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said disposable products are selected fromtoilet paper, tissue paper, wipes, medical pads, medical needles,band-aids, toothpicks, cotton applicators, swabs etc.
 10. The deviceaccording to claim 1, additionally comprising a compressor forcompressing the waste into said waste trash.
 11. The device according toclaim 1, comprising stabilizing means selected from, vacuum sticker,transmission, glue, abrasive screwing, scotch.
 12. The device accordingto claim 11, wherein said stabilizing means are incorporated at theinferior or lateral portion of the device.
 13. The device according toclaim 1, comprising in addition accessories selected from writinginstruments, hands cream, mirror.
 14. The device according to claim 1,wherein said waste trash is disposable.
 15. The device according toclaim 1, wherein said waste trash comprises in addition a disposable bagsuch as; plastic bag, paper bag.
 16. The device according to claim 1,containing a carrying handle located in any of the said parts of saiddevice.
 17. The device according to claim 1, wherein said conduit iscollecting the waste, thus said conduit functions as said waste trash.18. The device according to claim 1 wherein said device is disposable.19. The disposable device according to claim 18, adapted to be foldedfrom a disposable sheet-like member.
 20. A method of folding a deployedsheet such that 3D incorporated dispensing collecting device as definedin claim 1 is obtained.